Car-coupling



( 0 Model.)

J. T. POPE.

GAR COUPLING.

No. 357,785. Patented Feb. 15, 1887,

Him

' WITNESSES:

N. PETERS. Phalo-Lflhogmpher. Washington, 11c.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.v

JOHN T. POPE, OF MISSIONARY, MISSISSIPPI.

CAR-COUPLING.

S PECIFICATIODT forming part of Letters Patent No. 357,785, dated February 15, 1887.

Application filed December 13, 1886. Serial No. 221,464. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern- Be it known that 1, JOHN T. POPE, of Missionary, in the county of Jasper and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improved car-coupling, and has for an object to provide a simple construction by which two cars may be automatically coupled on coming together, and by which to uncouple the cars without going or placing the arms between their platforms; and the invention consists in certain features of construction and novel combinations of parts, as will be described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan View of two couplings constructed according to my invention and in coupled position. Fig. 2 is l a bottom plan View of one end of a car pro vided with my coupling, the draw-bar being shown out of coupled position and ready for coupling with another draw-bar; and Fig. 3is a detail perspective view of the coupling devices.

The draw-head or main support A is secured to the under side of the car at or near the end of same, and has its forward end forked or formed with a slot, to.

The draw-bar B has a hook, C, at its forward end, and is curved at Z) in rear of said hook. This curved portion of the draw-bar fits in the slot at, and is pivoted therein by means of pin D. A pawl, E, is also pivoted on pin D within the slot a, and has its point end extended to one side of the support A, and its rear end extended to the opposite sid of same. l

I extend the draw-bar rearwardly beyond its pivot, and such rear end is connected with and acted on by a spring, F. This spring acts to hold the draw-bar in coupled position when such bar is free to act, as will be better understood by the description which follows.

To thecar at one side of the draw-head I journal a rod or shaft, G, having a handle by which it may be turned, and provided with a 1 ratchet-wheel, H, which is engaged by the point of the pawl E. This pawl is kept normally in contact with the ratchet-wheel by means of a spring, I, properly connected. A

- chain, J, extends between the shaft G and the forward end of the draw-bar, so that by properly turning the shaft the draw-head will be drawn toward the shaft against the action of spring F, and the pawl E will operate asa detent to hold the draw-bar in the position to which it' may be adjusted until such pawl is released in' the manner presently described. The rear end of the pawl E extends laterally in rear of the hook of the draw-bar and out beyond the same, as shown.

In operation to couple, the shaft is turned to draw the draw-bar to one side, as shown in Fig. 2, ready for coupling with an approaching car. The draw-bar of such approaching car is similarly formed, arranged, and held,so that as the cars meet each draw-head will engage the rear end of the pawl of the opposite car, releasing the point of such pawl from the ratchet of the shaft, thus releasing both drawbars simultaneously. The draw'bars will at once be forced by the action of springs F to engage each other, as shown in Fig. 1, and complete the coupling. To unoouple,itis only necessary to properly turn one of the shafts and wind the connection J thereon, thus drawing one of the hooks out of engagement with the other. By this simple construction it will be seen I avoid the necessity of going between the cars either to couple or uncouple,and thus obviate all danger resulting from coupling and uncoupling cars by the common link and pin.

To enable one of my improved couplings to be coupled with a common draw-head, I form the front end of the draw-bar with a slot and with a pin-opening, in order that a link may be inserted and secured therein.

WVhile the coupling devices are shown in Figs. 1 and 2 as made right-handed, it is manifest they may be made left-handed, as shown in Fig. 3, without involving any variation in or departure from my invention, but simply a change or reversal in position of some of the parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isl 1. The combination of the support, the drawbar, and pawl pivoted, as described,the springs for actuating said parts, the shaft, the ratchet, and a connection between said shaft and drawbar, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a pivoted drawbar and a shaft connected therewith and proand the draw-bar, the pawl E, pivoted to the vided with a ratchet-wheel, of a pivoted pawl support A within the slot (0, and having its having one end arranged to engage said ratchet, point engaged with the ratchet and its oppo- I 5 and its opposite end extended and arranged in site end extended into the path of a draw-head 5 position to be engaged by the draw-bar on an on an approaching car, and a spring for ho1dapproaching car, substantially as set forth. ing said pawl in contact with the ratchet, sub- 3. The improved coupling herein described, stantially as set forth.

consisting of the support A, having slot at, the draw-bar pivoted in said slot and having ahookv 10 at its forward end, a spring, F, for giving tension to said draw-bar, the shaft G, having a ratchet, H, a connection, J, between said shaft JOHN T. POPE. I

Witnesses:

S. D. RUssELL, p p i V. T. BOLTON. 

